Apparatus for filling and capping bottles.



'1. 0. MILLER. APPARATUS FOR FILLTNG AND CAPFING BOTTLES.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.24.-1903.

1,225,349. Patented May 8,1917.

.7 SHEETS-SHEET l.

WITNESSES: INVJENTUR ATTORNEY 3. c. MiLLEfi.

APPARATUS FOR FILL G AN D CAPPiNG BOTTLES.

APPLICATiON FILED AUG.2-'I, i903.

Patented May 8, 1917.

FSHEETS SHEET 2.

mm I bi INVENTOR WITNESSES:

ATTORNEY 1.0.M1LLER.

APPARATUS FOR mums AND CAPPING somes..

APPLICATION FILED AUG.24. I903. 1 1,225,343 Patented May 8, 19 7. z SHEETS-SHEET 4.

A'f'i'OHHEY WSEEE Wlji [I]. H 51 J. c. MILLER. APPARATUS FOR FILLING AND GAPPING BOTTLES,

APPLICATIbN FILED AUG- 24'. 1903.

Patented May 8, 1917.

lSHEETS-SHEET f1.

W INVEN OR iq'p W w W: ATTORNEY J. CI MILLER. APPARATUS FORFILLIN-G :mo YCAPPING BOTTLES.

' APPLICATION FILED AUG-24. 1903. 1,225,349. I Patented May 8, 1917.

7 SHEET-SHEET 6.

INVEN IJLMSWA M022 ATTORNEY L C. MILLER.

APPARATUS FOR FILLING AND CAPPING BOTTLES..

' APPLICATION men nusLz-z, 1903. f

1,225,349. Patented May 8,1917

TSHEETS-SIIEEI l- '1 ,1 "manna" v UNI D JOHN (J. MILLnn, or CANTON, OHIO, AssIoNonTonHn MILLER rAsTnUnrz Ns MACHINE COMPANY, on cn'N'roN, OHIO, A conronnrlon or OHIOJ nrrannrus non FILLING AND cArrINe nor'rnns.

Application filed August 24,

To all whom z'tmay mama:

Be it known that 1, Jenn C. M1LLnn, acitizen of the United States, lesldlllg at Canton, in the county of Stark andlState of 1 Ohio, have invented certain new and u seful lmprovementsfin Apparatus for Filhng and Capping Bottles, of which the followingeis specification, reference being there n to the accompanying drawing;

This 1nvention relates then automatically capping them.

One of its objects is to provi adapted for use Where large milk or other liquid quantities of are placed upon the 3 market in bottles. The machine is so c on-' structcd and arranged that it maybe speedily and efficiently adjusted to fill a bottle or bottles of diflferent capacities, such as pints and quarts, With liquid. 1 y

' It has further for its ohject to reduce the labor incident to filling and capping of hot tles to a minimum.

With these and other objects vievv the n invention consists of the parts and COIll-blIlEttions of parts hereinafter descriloedv and set .forth inthe appended claims.

.For the purpose of illustration Thrive, in

the. accompanying drawings, shown an herein described one term of apparatus embodying my invention.

Figure 1 shows a mechanism embodying my inventionin perspective.

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal central section of the mechanism.

Fig. 3 is an elevation of the filling end of the mechanism.

Fig. i shows partly in section and partly in elevation aportion of the capping devices at the'time of insertion of the cap in the bottle.

Fig. 5 shows partly in section and partly in elevation a portion of the cappingdevices in initial position above the bottles.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of parts of the ma feeding mechanism showing the valve plate 1 a in'full lines at one end of: its stroke and in dotted lines at the other end of its stroke.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view showing the. filling plunger and valve, showing its position" within the bottle at the time of delivering the liquid. 8 1s a sectional view of the same parts i Specification of Letters Patent.

e to apparatu's foF' automatically filling bottles with. liquid and 1 de a machine side plates 2.

cured between the side plates and supported shown in vie'vv T ivitlithe plunger in initial positionabove the bottle.

9 me detail of the driving mechanisni for the'conveyery I L 5'" 10 is a detail or the conveyor driying devices, e i Fig: 11 a "detail o-fithe main driving .inechanisml Figs. 12 to 15 showy. additional Iii the'jdraivings' A, representsthe-traine work asavvhole, B the conveyer for thebot t les, C the liquidreceptacleortankQD the filling devices as an entirety, E the capping devices as an entiretyv and. F, the sealing mechanism as an entirety; The main or primary driving mechanisl'n is indicated by G. and the driving mechanism for the con- "veyerand for thestop devices ,by H, while I designates the mechanism for. regulating the feed of the liquid as a, Whole.

The frame A preferably consists of a metalfba'se 1 upon which are secured the 8 is-a box like receptacla'seby them and'by the bracket l Whichfis also secured to the side plates. At the .rear'said side plates are joined by a -T-sliaped member 5'Wl1ich serves also as a bracket 1 uponvvhich to mount some of the driving parts, as will be hereinafter described. To,

h o er front end'of the box like receptacle. 3 is secured a plate 6 having as many bosses or projections 7 as the machine has *fil ducts. 8 indicates bolts by means of which this plate is secured to the receptacle 3. At

its ends the bar or plate 6 is provided with projections or bosses 9 inwhich are rigidly secured. the guide rods 10 for the plunger system. 11 is a tank of any suitabl'efmate rial adapted to fit into the receptacle 3 and to receive the charge of liquid to be bottled. Through the bottom ofv this liquid tank near its front endand central of the-bosses f of the plate fi and extending therethrough and through the bottom plate of the receptacle 3 are arranged the liquid escape ducts 12. Fitted into the bosses 7 arethe tubes \13 for directing ,the liquid to the bottles.

To each of these. tuhesis fitted'asleeve 1t which at its lower end is enlargedas shown at 15. This enlargement or head 15 has an annular groove 16" adapted to receive the mouth of a bottle and is flared, as shown at ling ' shown at 24*.

17, to direct the mouth of the bottle into the groove. This head is also provided with an annular, inwardly projecting shoulder 18 beveled, as indicated at 19, to provide a seat for the liquid release valve. 20 is a packing ring screwed into the top of to prevent the escape of liquid between said tube and the sleeve 14. A rubber gasket, not shown, may be inserted in the groove 16 to prevent excessive pressure between the bottle and the head 15. r

The liquid releasing mechanism consists of a valve21. It may be made of any suit able material, but preferably of rubber. As shown, it has a smaller end 22 adapted to pass up into the head 15, a beveled shoulder 23 adapted "to contact with the shoulder 18; of said head and to seal the liquid passage therethrough and a large end or nose 22 'adapted'to engage a bottle mouth to cente1 .it. The nose 22 of the valve is preferably rounded. The valve rods 24 extend up through the liquid escape ducts 12 and upward through tank 11, and are secured to the cross head 25 in any suitable manner, preferably by a connection, preferably comprising screw threads and a lock nut, as This cross head is provided at its ends with shoulders or bosses 26 through which the'rods 10 are passed, said rods serving to guide the cross head and to maintain all the operative parts connected therewith in proper fixed relations as the said cross head is raised and lowered. 28 are anti-friction rollers mounted at either side of said cross head for a purpose to be hereinafter describe 1 31, 31, are rods slidably mounted at their upper ends preferably in brackets 29, each of which is secured to a projection 30 on the cross head 25. The rods 31 at theirl'ower ends carry the depression plates 32 for the sleeves 14. Said plates 32 are secured to the rods 31 between two adjustable collars 33 which are adapted to be locked to the rods the set screws 34. 36 is a loose collar mounted on each rod 31 above the upper collar33. The collar 36 serves as an abutment for a spring 37 which surrounds the adjacent rod 31. Each spring 37 extends between said collar 36 and the adjacent to move the adjacent The depression plates 32 bear upon sleeves -14.and are adapted to cause them to-move downward, as will be hereinafter described. 38 is a lever arm pivotally'mountedon the shaft 39 which is mounted in bracket 4. It is provided at 40 with a longitudinallyadjustableweight and at 41 with a widened and bifurcated endf The end 41 of each arm is adapted to partially surround the ad- I jacent sleeve 14 and tobear upon the depression plate32..

the sleeve and fitting the tube 13 sufliciently snugly preference,

suitable size and which project out The capping devices are arranged near the opposite end of the machine from ,the filling devices. 4243 are guide sleeves secured to the frame and adapted to guide the slide rods 44 which are mounted to move longitudinally therein. 45 is a cross head secured to the rods 44 by the bolts 46 and adapted to move up and down with said rods.

47 are plungers movably mounted in vertical legs of the brackets 4. There are, by as many plungers 47 as there are filling heads 14, and each plunger is arranged in the longitudinal plane "of a filling head. The plungers are preferably hollow, as shown at 51, to form atube-like member. In the drawings, for illustration, I have shown a plunger in which 48 is a rod one end of which is secured in a well known manner to the cross head 45 and the other end is providedwith an enlargement or piston 49 adapted to engage with a spring 50 in the interior of the tube 51. This tube is preferably of a diameterslightly lessthan the diameter of the bottle stopper or disk and is preferably closed at both'ends as shown.

trate and guide the closure or (11s..

the cross head 45 as shown, and are ada ted;

to hold disks 53. 54 is a weight rod 0 any and cause the downward feedof the disks in the magazine. 55 represents a longitudinal slot in the magazinewall, which enables the operator to readily see the height of the pile of disks therein. .v

56 are shoulders or'lugs on the bracket 4 under the magazines 52. Upon said shoulders-and in close proximity to the bottom of thesaid magazines is secureda plate 57 extending from one side of the machine to the other, and provided at 58 with apertures adapted to register with the grooves in the mouths of'the bottles-to be capped. Mounted on-'said plate 57 is the endwise movable valije "plate or. disk, advancing plate 59. It islmaintained in positionbythe, guide strips 60 secured to the said plate 57. This valve plate 59 is.pro-" vided with disk or closure receivingapertures 61so spaced as to register with. the lower orifice of the magazines and receive a diskwhen the bottles are being advanced to the capping point, and to register with the apertures 58 in the plate 57 and deliver the .aforesaid disk thereto prior to the descent of the plungersfi 362- .are springcontrolled wings or clips pivote'd'at 63 in grooves in the under side of the plate5i', and adapted 52 is a needle point secured in the lower end of the tube 51 and serves to pene- Rigicuv secured .in the horizontal legs of the brackets' equally spaced from shape adapted to bear upon Y anisni consists of a table 5 engage and drive the conveyer 72.

conveyer is of peculiar and novel construc illustrated, 1t consists of a series said bar.

85 of the table.

ments for as many to normally obstruct the passage ways or 64' are torsion springs .mounted on the pivots 63 and. adapted to apertures 58.

hold the wings normally across the mouths of said apertures. 65 is an opening in one side of the frame to permit the endwise movement of the valve plate 59.

The bottle advancing or conveying K160i): 66 provided at each end with a pair of downward projections 67 having enlarged bearings 68. In these bearings are rotatably mounted the shafts 69, 70 at front and rear ends of the machine, respectively. 71 represent sprocket wheels secured' to said shafts 69, 70 and adapte %1t o tion'. As of parallel cross carriers 73 connected together by links 74:, each cross carrier having distinct and separate receiving compartbottles as; the machine is adapted to fill at one time. rier consists preferablyof a bar 7 5 recessed. as indicated at 76 for the purpose oflightening the parts. 77 are spring controlled jaws, one for each'bcttle, supported at each end bv ins 78 seated and secured'in the bars 75, the heads 79 of the pins limiting the outward movement of the jaws 77 relative to 80 are springs mounted in adj acent recesses in the said ja'ws and in the bar 75 and adapted to afford a yielding grip for the bottles to be advanced. 1

81 are parallel ribs arranged longitudinally of the table and preferabl ,secured thereto by the bolts 82 They lie slow the carrier bars which travel longitudinally over them and serve to separate and brace the bottles at their bottoms. l

Motion is imparted to the conveyer 7 2 through the shaft 83 mounted in bearings 84 (see Fig. 9) in the downward projections is obtained through a wheel 86 secured to said shaft and provided near its periphery with a lug 87 projecting at right angles to its face, said lug being adapted to engage with the radially arranged clips 88 on the face of a wheel 89 rigidlysecured to the shaft 70.- By these devices a step by step motion is imparted to the conveyor, the movements depending on the rotation of the shaft 83 to insure that the bottles shall be positioned properly at the points where they are to be filled and capped.

I provide automatically actuated stop deof the bottles adapted to limit the advance of the same beyond a certain vices for each point during each step by step movement of the conveyer. The parts of these stop devices are illustrated in Fig. 2. .90, 91 are horizontal cross bars arranged beneath the table 66. Secured thereto and extending vertically upward therefrom are the pins of Each cross car 'The transmission of power stop bars 92, 93,- which pass through the bosses or guides. 94: on the table and are adapted to be projected into the path ways of the bottles'at their points of filling and capping, as shown. 95, 96, are brackets secured to the bottom of the table and adapted to support the cross bars 90, 91, and their operativeparts. 97 is a longitudinally reciprocating rod fitted into the guides 98 on the said brackets andadapted for slight vertical-play therein. At its front end the said rod is pivoted to one arm of a bell crank lever 99 which is pivotally mounted in. a projection on the bracket 95. The other arm of said lever is pivoted to one end of the link 100 the opposite end of which is pivoted to a lug 101 on the bar 90.

At its rear end the rod 97 is pivotally connected to one armvof a bell cranklever 102 which is likewise pivotally mounted in a projection on the bracket 96 andthe other 1 arm of which is pivotally connected to one end of a link 103 the opposite end of which and are constructed and timed to cause the gradual forward movement thereon of the rod 97 so that the stop bars 92,*93,'willbe projected into the paths of the bottles as they approachathe filling and capping points, and the cam w ll, furthermore, permit the gradual withdrawal of said stop bars on the return throw of the return rod 97.

It is very essential in machines of this description that quick and efficient means be provided "for the adjustment of the bottle supports ortable relative to the filling and capping parts or vice versa, so as to readily accommodate the machine for the filling and capping of bottles of different lengths. For this purpose I have mounted and balanced the table centrally upon a support or bracket 105, free-to be vertically adjusted relative to the filling and cappir g mechanisms. 106 are bolts for securing he table to the support 105. 108 is a vertically arranged shaft provided at its upper end with a screw,

threaded part 109 which is adapted to be screwed into the body of the support. At the lower end of the screw there is a bearing plate and the lower end of the shaft carries pieces 113, 114, are secured to either side thereof. The collar 110 bears upon the upt 95 the. shaft 83. Its

' in bearings 13? on ets 119 secured to the suflicient amount of or hot water leading per end df the hub 113. is a horizontatl shaft arranged directly below the vertical shaft 108 and having its ends mounted in the framework 1. It is provided with a bevel gear 116 adapted to mesh with and drive the bevel gear 111., The shaft 115 projects beyond one side of the base of the machine and is provided with a hand Wheel 117 through which power may be applied to turn the shaft, thereby raising or lowering the table and its attached parts as desired.

118 is a. paraflin tank supported on bracksides 2 of the frame, only one of said brackets being shown in the drawings (see Fig. 1). It isadapted to deliver melted paraffin to the top of the bottles after they have been capped, for the purpose of sealing them. 120 are apertures in the bottom of said tank for thepurpose of permitting the escape therefrom of the paraffin to the tops of the bo tles. 121 is an endwise reciprocating valve plate supported adjacent to the bottom of the tank by guides 122 which are secured to the bottom of said tank. This plate is provided with apertures 123 adapted to register at )redetermined intervals with the apertures 120 in the bottom of the tank to permit the escape of a paraffin to properly seal 124 is a pipe for steam to the heating coil 125 tank which is adapted to keep the paraflin in a molten condition. 126 is a discharge pipe for: the water. Abov each aperture in the tank may be ar ranged a throttle valve as indicated at 127, consisting preferably 'of. a disk 128 with an aperture therethrough adapted to register with the aperture in the tank' below it. This disk is provided with a stem 129 preferably swiveled thereto. The stem 129 extends through and by means of a v screw thread adjustably engages with one side wall of the tank. 1 The stem 129 may be provided at its outer end with a thumb piece 130. parafiin through any one or all of the apertures may thus be quickly regulated by adjusting said throttle valves.

The power for driving all the operative parts of the apparatus is applied through thepulleys 131 on the shaft 132 which is preferably mounted longitudinally of the machine in bearings 133 preferably formed integral with the cross plate or bracket 5. The shaft is provided between said bearings with a worm 134 adapted to mesh with and drive a Worm gear 135- secured to the transverse shaft 136 which is rotatably mounted the upwardly extending arms 138 of the sides of the frame. for operating the filling and capping mechanism is applied as followsz-At its extremities this transverse shaft 136, carries cranks or ca'm-likedevices 139. ,The devices 1351 preferably comprise disks provided with the bottle closures.

in the bottom of the chines of this class it Power closures will register or opening in the'mouths thereof With a centering assesses crank lugs 140 projecting from their outer faces. The said lugs are adapted to engage withand operate pivotally fulcrumed on shafts l42-rigidly secured in bosses 143 projecting. from the side plates of the frame. The other ends of said levers 141 engage with the anti-friction rollers or lugs 28 on the front cross head 25. A. second pair of levers 144 arepivoted at their front ends to shafts 145 each rigidly secured in a boss 146 at the upper front corner of eachside plate 2. Said levers 144 are connected to the levers 141 above them by means of pivoted links 147 and the rearends of said levers 144 areconnected between collars 148 to the sliderods 44 of the rear cross head 45. y

149 is the cam through whichmotion is transmitted to the reciprocating valve plates 59 and 121. It is secured to the shaft 136 at any convenient point. groove or guide on the periphery of said cam and 151 the lug or roller on the arm 152 which is adapted to operate in said grpove or guide. The shaft 153 to one end of which the rocker arm .152 is rigidly secured, is .mounted in a bearing plate 154 supported on top of the parallin tank 118. To the other end of said shaft is a rod 155 carrying at its lower end plates 156, 157, which are adapted to be connected to the under sides of the valve plates 59 and 121 respectively; portions of the cross plate .57 and of the guide strips 122 on the bottom of the para'flintank being cut away to permit the attachment of said plates 156, and 157 to their respective-valve plates, and to pro vide for the reciprocations thereof.

In Fig. 11 is shown inplan view and in full and dotted lines the positions of extreme throw of the rocker arm 152.

The power transmitting devices for the conveyercomprise a gear 158 rigidly secured to the shaft 136 and adapted to mesh with a pinion 159 on a shaft 160 mountedin a bearing 161 at the upper end of the frame arm 138. On the outer end of the shaft 160 is secured a sprocket wheel 162 belted by a chain 163 to a sprocket wheel 164. Thesprocket wheel. 164 is secured to a counter shaft 165 which is mounted in a bearing 166 carried by the table- 66. @nfthe inner end of said shaft 165-is secured a gear 167 which meshes with a gear 168'on the'shaftl83.

One of the chief difficultiesexperienced with automatic capping mechanisms for bottles results from'the irregularities-in shape of the mouths of the bottles and'in all mabottles so that the inserting device for the exactly with the groove this end view. I have provided mechanism for the bottles which is'indieate 150 indicates the connected is essentia'l that means i be provided for centeringthe mouths of the mally above the bottles.

as a whole by L. It consists of a transverse bar 169 secured in the side plates of the frame. Pivoted to said bar are a series of parallelarms or bars 170 arranged above the pathways-of the bottles along the tables and each provided with a plate" 171 having an aperture 172 slightly larger in diameter than the plunger 47.

The under surfaces of these plates surrounding said apertures are flared as indicated at 173 for the purpose of engaging the mouths of the bottles and directing their openings to register with the apertures 172, thus insuring that the closures will be properly directed into the mouths of the bottles. 174 is a transverse bar'arranged above the arms 170 and to which said arms are preferably secured by screw rods 175. At its ends said bar is mounted-0n the rods 17 6 pivotally suspended from the levers 144 and guided at their lower ends in brackets 177 secured to the sides of the frame, Springs 178 mounted on the-rods between the said brackets and the bar 17 1 exert an upward pressure on the bar, thus holding the centering arms nor- 179 arei collars rigidly secured to the rods 17 (5 abovelthe bar [74. Their function is to depress said bar against the pressure of the said springs as the lever 15:4: rocks downward, causing the centering arms to engage the mouths of the bottles and centerthem just prior to the insertion therein of the closure.

For the purposes of illustrating the complete operation of the machine it will be assumed that the conveyer sections above the table are supplied with a full complement of bottles 180; that is bottles in all stages of ad 'vancement from the point of insertion in the conveyer sections to the point of removal therefrom. Starting then with the front cross member 25 at the upper end of its stroke, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 3, the

'power is applied through the pullev 131 and transmitted through shaft 132 to the shaft 136simultaneously imparting motion to all of the driven parts. The lugs 140 on the disks 139, which are at thistime at the descent. As the front ends of the said levers- 141 descend they are followed in their-course by the cross head under the force of gravity due to its own weight, the weights of the parts attached to it and the depression weights 40. The 'antifriction rollers 28 serving to minimize the friction betweenthe levers 1 11 and the cross head 25. The power transmitted to the c nveyer mechanism has in the meantime caused the advance of the conveyer, and the projecting of the stop devices 92, 93 into the pathway of the bottles at the points of filling and capping, so that the bottles are now properly positioned under the respective devices.

The forward advance of the conveyer sections is then interruptedand the heads of the filling devices 15 engage with the mouths of the empty bottles, the collars 179 on the rod 17 6 contact with and depress the bar 174; and cause the centering arms-170 to engage and-center the mouths of the bottles under the capping mechanisms. 7

The. further downward movement of the forward ends of the levers 141 permits theunseat the escape valves 21 against the resistance of the springs 37 and thereby permit the flow of .liquid from the tank 11 to the bottles. Just before the frontlends of the levers 141 reach the lower end of their stroke the cam 1 19 operates the valve plates 59 and 121, the former transfers the closures or disks 53 from the magazines 52 to the apertures 58 above the bottles, depositing them upon the wings 62; while the valve plate 121 opens the escape ducts 120 to permit the flow of paraffin from its tank to the closures on the bottles beneath it. v

The further downward movement of the levers 141, acting through the lever-is 14 1, causes the plungers 17 to drive the closures 53 into'the rooves in the mouths of the bottles. By this time the lugs 140 have reached and now begin to descend, thereby causing the outer ends of the levers 141 to swing upward carrying therewith the cross heads 25 and 45.

The cam. 10 1 on the shaft 83 now permits the withdrawal of the stop elements 92, 93 from the .paths of the bottles. The cam 149 shifts the valve plates 59 and 121 causing the apertures '61 in the former to register with theapertures in the magazines 52; the shifting of the latter'valve cutting 011' the flow of paraffin from its tank. The escape valves 21 are reseated, cutting 011' the flow of liquid to the bottles and the filling heads 15 are lifted above the mouths of the same. The lug 87 carried by the wheel 86 on the shaft 83 now engages with acleat 88 on the wheel 89 and the conveyer moves forward advancing all the bottles one step. In the meantime a row of bottles to be filled has been placed in the conveyer sections at the forward end of the table.

The quantity of liquid delivered to the bottlesis governed by the diameter of the pulley 131 which determines the speed of rotation of the shaft 132. The driving pulley, not shown, being of fixed diameter and adapted to be rotated at a certain uniform speed the pulley 131 is so proportioned that rounded, as' shown in Figs. 7 an it will cause the valves 21 in the filling heads 15 to be unseated for a fixed perio of time necessary to permit the flow of a predetermined quantity of liquid through the tubes 13 into the bottles.

The machine shown in the drawin is adapted to supply bottles of two capacities. If the belt is placed upon the art of the pulley 131 of largest diameter t e valve 21 will be opened for one period of time; on the other hand if the belt is placed upon the part of the pulley of smaller diameter, the operation of the parts of the machine will be more rapid than in the first instane, and therefore a smaller quantity of liquid will be permitted to escape past the valv'e 21. It will thus bef understood that by changing the speed of'rotation of the shaft 132, the machine may be adapted to fill bottles of different capacity.

In many instances the sealing of the bottles may not be essential, in which case the paraflin tank and its operative parts may be omitted without-interfering with the construction and operation of the rest of the.

machine.

When the table is adjusted vertically it is necessary that some form of compensating device be provided for either lengthening or shortening the chain, accordin to the direction of adjustment of the ta. le. In the drawings I have shown a slotted and grooved plate 181 secured to the framework of the machine. 182 is a bolt, the head of .-which is adapted to engage with the inner walls of the said groove. This bolt extends outwardly from the frame and is provided with a tubing or sleeve 188 and a nut 18%. A sprocket idler 185 is loosely mounted on the said sleeve, as shown. lVhen the table is raised or lowered, it is merely necessary to loosen the nut 18% and move the bolt 182 longitudinally of the stationary plate 181 until the. idler gives the desired tautness in the chain; then the bolt can be secured in position by tightenin the nut.

When the filling eads 15 engage the mouths of the bottles they tend to form an air tight joint therewith and it is desirable to provide an air vent for the escape of the air in the bottles during the filling thereof. To accomplish this the valve rods 24 are preferably hollow, as shown, and have near their upper ends apertures 24 extending from the exterior of the rod to said hollow assage-way. It will be seen that the holow valve rods provide communication between the interior of the bottles and the external air, and that the air i1! the bottles can escape therefrom as the liquid rises therein.

The lower end of each valve is preferably 8. This end is arranged to project within the mouth of a bottle and by engagement with the interior wall thereof to center it relative to the sleeve 14 in coiiperative relation with the bell-shaped lower end thereof.

To those skilled in the art of making apparatus of the class described, many alterations in construction and widely dlfiering embodiments and applications of my invention will suggest themselves, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. My disclosures and the description herein be in any sense limiting.

at I claim is:

1. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a frame, 'a liquid holder, mechanism connected with said liquid holder or filling a plurality of bottles simultaneously, said mechanism plurality of ducts having valve seats and valves therefor, means for advancing rows of bottles step by step and successively positioning the rows at the filling station with the mouth-of e ch bottle of a row in alinemen t with one 0 said filling ducts, means for adjusting said bottle advancing and positioning means relative to said filling mechanism, means for opening and closing said valves substantially simultaneously, and means for varying the period of time that said valves are open.

2. In mechanism for filling bottles with liquid, the combination of power mechanism,

a holder or receptacle for the liquid, :1 withdrawing duct communicating with the receptacle and having a. downwardly movable section, and a valve movable downwardly with and also relatively to said duct section to permit operation of the valve, and a conveyer for the bottles to be filled, said conveyer having its operative part adjustable relatively to the movable section of '-the aforesaid duct.

3. In a machine oflthe class described, the combination of a liq id holding receptacle. means for supporting a bottle below said rcceptacle, a depending filling duct leading from said receptacle and comprising a stationary section connected thereto and a section slidable relative to said; stationary section and arranged to engage with the mouth of a bottle, a vertically movable frame, a valve mounted in the movable section of the filling duct for controlling the flow of liquid therethrough, and connections between the stem of said valve and said frame for supporting and operating said valve.

4 In a machine for filling bottles with liquid, the combination of a frame, a holder or receptacle for the liquid, a duct leading from the liquid receptacle to a bottle and having a movable section, a weighted arm bearing against said movable section, power devices, and means actuated by the power are purely illustrative 'and are not intended including a devices for moving the movable, duct section relative to said holder or receptacle and in opposition to the weighted arm.

5. In a machine for filling bottles with liquid, the combination of a frame, a holder or receptacle for the liquid, 'a duct extending from the receptacle and: having thereon a movable section, the lower free end of which .engages with and closes-the mouth of the bottle, a valve adaptdto eiigage the lower end of the movable section, a rod passing through the duct and connected to said valve, means for'holcling said movable sectipn in engagement with the bottle, and

means for positively moving the valve through said valve rod independently of the movable section and relative to said holder or receptacle.

'6. In a machine for filling bottles with liquid, the combination of a frame, a holder or receptacle for the liquid, a duct adapted to conduct liquid from the receptacle to a bottle and having a movable section adapted to engage therewith, agravity actuated bar enga with the movable section, a. valve for c osing the duct, a valve rodextending through the duct, and means forpositively moving the valve rod' and valve independently of the movable section.

7. In a bottle filling niachine,the combination of a holder or. receptacle for liquid, a bottle fillin'g'duct eii'tending from said recptacle and havinga movable section adapt "ed tofengage the mouth of a bottle, a valve in said duct for controlling the flow of liquid therethrough, and automatically operated means for operating said valve relative to said holder or receptacle and for controlling the movement of said movable section toward and from the bottles.

.8. In a bottle filling machine, the combination of a holder or receptacle for liquid, a filling duct extending from the said receptacle and having a'movable section adapted to engage the mouth of a bottle, a valve in said duct for controlling the flow of liquid therethrough, means for moving said movable section of the duct into engagement 'with the mouth of a bottle, and means for operating said valve relative to said holder while the movable section of the duct is in ngagement with the mouth of a bottle.

9. In a bottle filling machine, the combinationof a supply tank, a filling duct extending from said tank and having a movable section adapted to engage the mouth of a bottle, a valve'independently movable relatively to the movable section of the duct, and automatic means for operating the said valve relative to said tank, and 'for control 'ling the engagement and disengagement of the movable section with .a bottle mouth.

10. In mechanism of the class described, the con' bii'iation of a supply tank, means for positioning a row of bottles at a filling station, a corresponding row of telescoping ducts, each connected with said tank at its upper end and arrangedto engage a bottle mouth at its opposite end and having a valveseat, a valve for each of said valve seats disposed to enter the mouth of a bottle, and

means ,for operating each valve relative to said tank.

11. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of a supply tank, means for positioning a row of bottles at a filling station, a corresponding row of telescoping ducts, each connected with said tank at its upper end and arranged to engage a bottle at its opposite end and having :a valve seat, a valve for each of said valve seats, means for operating each valve relative to said tank, and compression means interposed between said ducts and valves tending to maintain the valve seat of each duct in engagement with its valve. j

' 12. In mechanism of 'the class described, the combination of a supply tank, means for positioning a row of bottles at a filling station, a correspondingrou of valve stems, a vrow of telescoping ducts through each of which a valve stem extends, each of said ducts being connected with said tank at its upper end and arranged to'engage a. bottle at its opposite end and having a valve seat,

adjacent valve seat, each valve and stem serving to support the adjacent movable ductsection, means acting on the movable section of each of said ducts for normally maintaining its valve seat in engagementwith the valve but permitting the movable section to telescopically move to open the valve when the duct engages a bottle mouth, and means for actuating said valve stem relative to said tank.

13 In'mechanism of the class described,

the combination of means for positioning a bottle at a filling station, a supply tank formed with a liquid discharge opening, a movable valve \stem extending through said opening and .(provided with'a valve at its lower end, a uct communicating with said discharge opening, a sleeve arranged to en-' gage themouth of a bottle and provided a valve carried by-each of said stems for the at its lower end with 'a valve seat for said valve stem provided at its lower end with a valve having a. rounded nose, :1 duct-coninmnicating with the discharge opening, a sleeve having at its lower free end a valve seat for said valve and a wall extending 5 from said valve'seat, said sleeve being slidably mounted on said duct, and means acting on said sleeve normally toihold the valve seat thereof in engagement with the valve, said rounded nose on said valve and said extending wall at the free end of said sleeve, being arranged to engage respectively the inner and outer walls of the mouth of the bottle and cotip'erating to center it, and said extending wall also serving to close 'the mouth of said bottle during the operation of said valve.

15. In a machine. of the class described, the combination of a bell-shaped element formed with an axially disposed passagego Way through-which liquid flows and with a valve seat, said bell-shaped element being adapted to engage the exterior of the mouth of a bottle to center and close it, a valve for said valve seat having an air duct thrpugh '25 it and a downwardly extending rounded nose, said rounded nose being adapted to engage the interior of the mouth of a bottle to center it, means for yieldingly holding said bell-shaped element in engagement so-with the mouth of a bottle, and a valve stem extending through said bell-shaped element and having an air duct therethroughcommunicating with the air duct through said valve. 16. In a. machine of the class described, the combination of a sleeve disposed at its lower free end to engage with and close the imouth of a bottle and having an axially disposed passageway for liquid and a valve 40 .seat, a valve for said valve seat having an lair duct through it and a downwardly extending rounded nose arranged to engage the mouth of a bottle and cooper-able with the lower end of said sleeve to center the bottle, means for vieldingly holding said sleeve in engagement with the mouth of the bottle, and a valve stem extending through said sleeve and having an air duct therethrough communicating withsaid air duct through said valve.

17. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a liquid receptacle, a row of ducts communicating therewith and depending therefrom, each duct comprising a stationary section and a movable sleeve which telescopes it, means for positioning a row of bottles at the filling station, each of said sleeves being adapted to engage-at its lower free end with the mouth of a bottle and being capable of axial movement inde pendently of the other sleeves in the row and, having an axially disposed valve seat, a'

plurality of movable valves, one for each of said seats and each valvehaving an air duct 66 therethrough, a plurality of air vents, one

reams-1a for eacho'l' said valves and each communicating at its lower end with the air duct through the valve to which it is connected, means formoving simultaneousl said row of sleeves and plurality of air vents relative to said liquid receptacle when arow of bottles is positioned at the. filling station, and means for holding each .of' said sleeves in engagement with the mouth of the bottle engaged by it.

18. In a bottling machine, the combination with the frame, of a driving shaft, a supply tank, filling tubes, reciprocating sleeves yieldiugly mounted upon said'tubes, valves for said sleeves provided with tubular stems, and means for reciprocating said sleeves, said means consisting of a crosshead adapted to move vertically, connection between the cross-head and said valve stems, and gearing connecting the cross-head with the said driving shaft. l.

19. In -a bottling machine, the combination with the frame, of a supply tank, filling tubes opening into said tank, reciprocating sleeves slidably mounted upon said tubes, springs for said sleeves, valves situated in said sleeves and provided with tubular stems projecting axially through sai tubes, a cross-head attached to said stems, and means for reciprocating said crosshead.

20. In a bottling inachine, the combination with the frame, of a driving shaft, a supply tank, filling tub'es communicating with said tank, spring held sleeves slidably mounted upon said tubes, valves arranged in said tubes and having tubular stems projecting through the tubes, a cross-head attached to said stems, and means for reciprocating said cross-bead, said means consisting of members, rotating devices for operating said members and operative means connecting said rotating devices with the driving shaft.

' 21. In a bottling machine, the combination with the frame, of a supply tank, filling tubes opening into said tank, reciprocating sleeves slidably mounted upon said tubes, springs for said sleeves. valves situated in said sleeves and provided with tubular stems projecting axiallythrough said tubes, a cross-head attached to said stems, and means for reciprocating said cross-head, the said reciprocating means including a device which controls the openingof the valves in "said sleeves.

22. In mechanism of the..=class.-'described,"

the combination-of a receptacle, formed with a row of openings in its bottom, "for holding liquid ducts leading from said openings, sleeves mounted on said ducts and arranged to move longitudinally thereof, each of said sleeves being formed with a. valve seat, a cross-head, a row of rods sccurcd to and depending from said er ead, valves, one

a nea "tor eachrod, carried-lay the rodsand'l ar sleeves he'.

ranged to engage the sleeves, means acting}; on said tain their valve seats in valves, and means tor l c t cross-head.

23. In mechanism at valve out the in rnain ,nlent with the 1, rec: ting said the class described,"

the combination at a receptacleftorrnedwith a row of openin llqnld, ducts let in its bottom, tor holding .intg from said Op n ngs,

sleeves mounted on said ducts and arranged to move longitudinallythereolf, each said i formed With a valve seat, a

cross-head, a row at rods secured to andalee,

pending; -:tron1 ranged to engage the said cross-head, valves, one for each rod, carried by the rods and fan,

valve seats of the onv said sleeves to maintain "their valve seats in engagement with the valves, and means tor reciprocating said crosshead.

24:, In mechanism hit the class,described, the combination 0:43 a receptacle, termed with.

a row of openings in hottoin, for holding liquid, ducts leading from said. openings, sleevesmonnted on said {ducts and arranged.

to move longitudinally sleeves'heing termed.

cross-head, a roiv' of rods with a thereot, each of said v valve seat, a secured to and.

depending, from saidcross-head, valves, one for each rod, carried by the rods and arranged to engage the sleeves, means acting on. tam the1r valve seats in valve seats at the said sleeves to main-- engagement with the valves, means for reciprocating said cross heads, and means for: advancing; rows of hot tles step by stepito and tion below said sleeves.

tronr the lilling eta-- 25.4111 a machine tor 'filliuar, bottles with liquid, the combination with a lirlztnie, ot a holder or receptacle for liquid supported by the trains, a duct through which the liquid passes "from said recap tacle to a bottle, an

intermittently movingcarrier, movable stopplng or arresting devices for the bottles, and

, intermittently acting said stop devices into and out at the path of the bottles.

26. In machine of the ciomhination with a frame, for, liquid supported thereby,

devices for moving the class described,

of a holder" filling ducts leading from said holder and adapted to en gagethe mouths of bottles-a earner for advancing said filling bottles step by step to and from ducts, insane for actuating said carrier step by ste neans {orv adjusting said carriervertically ting ducts, stop devices,

relative to said till 7 adjustable with said carrier, n ovahle into and;v out of the path'ot' movement of the bottles to arrest them at, a

predetermined position, and means for con.-

trolling the ,27. in a chine, the combination convevmo means, mean movement (it said step devices. bottle filling; and. capping inao't trains, hottla, s tor dellivet-inn caps controlling;

ceptacle, power devices 'hottle moving; means and intermittently moving to the months ot 'hottles, a liquid supported on said frame, devices for the dew at liquid from said reitor actuating the cap deliverintgineans and the liquid control devices, and intermittently acting devices tor stopping the hottles inproper po sition relative to the liquid filling devices and the cap delivering means independently ot the conveying means.

28; lln a'inadhine of the class described, the combination With hottle filling and cap teeding and inserting mechanisms, of anendless bottle conveyer comprising two chains connected. together by bars adapted v to. advance bottles horizontally in straight lines from th said filling rnecl'ianism to the said cap teedintg and inserting mechanism, means tor imparting; a stephy-step movement to the said endless conveyor, stops arrai d to=projecthetween the bars and (an gage the forward walls of the bottles for limiting the travel thereof relative to said filling mechanism and said cap feeding and inserting ineclianisimand 1neans. -for moving; said stops into operative position.

llltl; ln mechanism of the class described,

receptacle for the combination with bottle filling and cap inserting mechanism, of a bottle moving mechanism having cross bars adapted to advanee bottles horizontally from said filling niechanism'to said cap inserting mechanism, rising andflhllingstops arranged to project between the hats and enga'gethe forward walls of the bottles to limit the travel-thereof relative to the filling mechanism and the. cap inserting mechanism, and means adapt ed. to ell'ect step-hy-step movement of said to actuate said rising; and falling stops.

30. in a machine. of theconihination with a frame, of a receptacle tor a liquid supported thereon, a conduit depending from said receptacle and adapted to convey the liquid to 'ahottle, mechanism for advancing and positioning bottles relative to .said conduit, means for the said bottle advancing and positioning mechanism predeterinined distances, devlces tor arresting'the hottles, and means for moving said arresting devices into and out of the path of movement otthe hottles.

31.111 zipper-at the combination o'l 1 ol liquid through said ductastop arranged to move into and out of the path of move talent of bottles for stopping them at a n-eirenal-norned osition, and means for opthe the class described,

inn

ot the class described,

erating saidstops at predetermined intervals relative to the movement of the bottle advancing mechanism.

32. Ina mechanism ot'tlie class described, the combination of" a frame, mechanism for filling bottles, advancing means for-.moving the bottles to and from said filling mechanism, said means comprising a movable device and, a table over which the bottles are moved by said device, means for actuating" thedevice step by step, and stops cooperating with said device actuating means,'ar ranged'to be projected through the table for stopping thebottles at a prcdetermmecL position. r

33. In mechanism of the classdescribed, the combination of a frame, mechanism for filling bottles, advancing means for moving the bottles to and from said filling mecha-g nism, said means comprising a movable device and a table over which the bottles are moved by said device, means for actuating the device stepby step, and vertically movable stops cooperating with said device ace tuating means and slidable in. openings formed in the table for stopping the bottles at a predetermined position. '3 l. In mechanism of the-class described,

the combination of a frame, mechanism for filling bottles, advancing means for moving the bottles to and from said filling mechanism, said means comprising a movable device anda table over which the bottles are moved by said device, means for actuating the device step by step, vertically movable stops cooperating with said'device actuating means and slidable in openings formed in thetable for stopping the bottles at a predetermined position, and means coacting With the movable device actuating means for operating said stops at intervals. 35. In a machine of the class. described, the combination of mcansfor filling a row of bottles with liquid, mechanism for advancing bottles to and from said filling means, the said advancing mechanism comprising. a table provided with a series of longitudinally extending plates arranged parallel to each other and forming guideways through which the bottles move and a pair of chains connected together by transverse bars and arranged to slide on the upper edges of said plates, the said bars being arranged-t0 engage the bottles and. move them longitudinally of said table, arresting devices arranged to project into the path of movement-of said bottles but below the path of movement of said transverse bars to stop the bottles in registering'position With said filling means, and means for operating'said chains and arresting devices at lntervals.

-36.-In a machine ofthe class, described,

the combination of means' forfilling a series of bottles with liquid, a conveyermecha *gage the bottles near their anism comprising a table provided with a series of longitudinally extending plates arranged parallel to each other and forming guideways through which the bottles move, a series of connected together transverse bars arranged to slide on the upper edges of said platesto move the bottles lon itudinally ot the table, members carried y'the bars and arranged to engage with the bottles and means for operating said 'transverse bars intermittently, arresting devices arranged to project into the path of movement of said bottles, but below the path of movement of said transverse bars to stop the bottles in registering position with said fill- .ing means, and means for operating said arresting devices at intervals.

37.- In apparatus of the class describ'ed, the combination with .a frame, of a' liquid j receptacle mounted thereon, bottle 'fillin g mechanism connected with the liquid. re-

ceptacle, bottle capping mechanism mount ed on the frame, intermittently operated means arranged to move bottles from said filling mechanism to said capping mechanism, centering evices arranged to enga c with mouths of bottles carried by said '2 vancing means at stop devices arranged to engage with the bottles at their lower portions at predetermined intervals, and means for operatingv said centering devices and said stop de vices.

38. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with aframe, of a liquid receptacle mounted thereon, a bottlefilling' mechanism connected with said receptacle, a capping mechanism mounted on said frame, an intermittently operated conve er for moving bottles from said filling mocha nism to said capping mechanism, meansfor" adjusting said conveyer tOWEtId and from said filling mechanismfand said cap ing 11o mechanism, cen tering devices supporte by I the frame and arranged to engage with'the meiiths of bottles carried by the conveye r, stopdevices adjustable with said conveyer toward and from the filling mechanism and the capping mechanism and arranged to en- I bottom portions, perating the stop devices at and means for intervals. L i 39.-=I.n a bottle filling and cappin mocha fl-lllSIfl, the combination of 'a step y 'ste p, bottle moving means, a bottle filling meshanism, a. bottle capping mechanism, "auto-{:1 matically. "operated sto 5. en aging-thebottlesfor limiting the orwar f've1nei1t thereofrelative to the filling 'andcapping mechanisms, and deViQS-f for} engaging tha mouths of the bottles'to'cen rth relzitive to one of said mechanisms, M 'i n i 4:0, In a machine of the character predetermined intervals, 9

sciibed, the combination of a frame, a bottle advancing means adapted to carry one or mechanism and the cap supplying mechanisin, and adjustable connections between the power mechanism and the said bottle advancing means for. operating the latter.

ii. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of a frame, a liquid holder, mechanist 'i connected With said holder for 'filling a g'iurality of bottles simultaneously,

said mcrcanism including a' plurality of ducts arranged in a row, each duct having a ,valve seat and a'valve therefor, devices forfeeding andpositioning a plurality of bottle caps in a row, means for advancing rows of bottles step by step and simultaneously positioning a row .of bottles at the filling station with the mouth of each bottle in the row in alinement with one of said filling ducts, and another row of bottles at the capping station with the mouth of each bottle in'the row in alinement with one of'said cap feeding and positioning devices, co-acting means for opening and closing said valves substantially simultaneously and for actuating said cap. feeding and positioning devices, means for raising and lowering the bottle advancing means relative to said filling ducts and cap feeding and positioning devices, and means for varying the period of time that the said valves are open.

42. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a receptacle for a liquid, a bottle conveyor, devices for supplying and controlling the flow of the liquid from the said receptacle to bottles carried by the bottle conveyor, bottle capping devices for placing caps on the bottles, means for supplying'a sealing material to the caps after they have been positioned on the bottles, power mechanism, and connections between the power mechanism and the liquid control devices, the cap-positioning devices,

and the sealing materia-Lsupply'. means forautomatically controlling the filling, capping and sealing of the bottles.

43. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a frame, a conveyer mechanism, bottle filling mechanism having a cross head, bottle capping mechanism having a cross head, power mechanism, a lever operatively connected at one .end'with said power mechanism and ar- -i'anged$to engagethe cross head of the filling mechanism at its opposite end to move the cross head in one direction, a second lever pivoted to said frame and arranged to engage with and operate the cross head of the capping mechanism, and a connection between said levers whereby the second lever is operated by the first-mentioned lever.

44. In a bottling machine, the combina tion with the frame, of a driving shaft, a supply tank, filling tubes opening into said tank, reciprocating sleeves slidably mounted upon said tubes, springs for said sleeves,

valves situated in said sleeves and provided with tubular stems projecting axially through said tubes, a cross-head attached to said stems, and adjustable means for reciprocating said cross-head.

45. In a bottle filling mechanism, the com bination of a reservoir, a liquid tube C01 1 nected thereto and provided with a movable section adapted to engage a bottle mouth, a

valve and a stem therefor arranged to supand means tending to maintain said movable section in engagement with said valve during movement of its stem but permitting said section to move relative to said valve.

46. In a bottle filling mechanism, the combination of a reservoir having discharge ducts, a member provided with a valve seat movably connected with each of said ducts, a series of rods each carrying a Valve and adapted to support. one of the valve seat members at its lower end, each of said valve seat members being arranged to conduct the liquid from the adjacent duct to the mouth of the bottle, means tending to hold each said member in engagement with the adjacent valve, and means for reciprocating said rods relative to said reservoir.

47. In a bottle filling mechanism, the combination of a reservoir having discharge ducts a member provided with a valve seat movably connected with each of said ducts, a series of res each carrying a valve and adapted to support one of the valve seat members at its lowerend, each of said valve seat members being arranged to conduct the liquid fromjthe adjacent duct to the mouth of a bottle, a spring interposed between each valve seat member and the adjacent rod and tending to hold each said member in engagement with the adjacent valve, and means for reciprocating said rods relative to said reservoir.

4:8. The combination in a bottle filling machine of a supporting structure; a tank thereon; a filling tube mounted in the bottom of the tank and consisting oftwo telescopic sections; a bottle engaging member on one of the sections; means normally tending to move the sections relatively to each other; a valve n'ornia'lly closing the lower end of one of the sections; an operating rod port said movable section, means for mov;

ing said valve stem relative to said reservoir,-

I which the upper end of said rod is connectfor the valve consisting of a pipe ektend- In testimony whereof I afiix my signature ing through the filling tube; 2L member to in presence of two Witnesses;

JOHN C; MILLER.

ed; and meansengaging said 111Gl11bO1fO1. \Vitnesses: operating said valve through the medium of J. H. MILLER,

said pipe. C. GEIDLINGER.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,225,349, granted May 8, 1917,upon the application of John C. Miller, of Canton, Ohie, for an improvement in Apparatus for Filling and (lapping Bottles, errors appear in the printed specificetion requiring correction as follows: Page 6, uf tor line 77 insert the paragraph:

lVo uatm is made herein to the mscwserz subjects-matter relating to the rim-Marxism I for capping bnftles and mechanism for handling battles, the immnh'dn-s therein bring claimed by me in divisional applicatinns Ser. Nos. 162,536 and 162,537, respectively, 1 filed April 16, I9I?'.,

page 9,1ines 3536, claim 24, fur the compound worrl Hose-heads" red rrosshe'ad; same page, line 94, claim 2.), fur the word mvrhenism" rend merhu-nismv; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oflice.

Signed and sealed this 26th day of June, A. D., I917.

[BEAL] .R. F. WHi'lEUEAI), Cl. 226-28. Acting C'om miuioner of Patents.

Corrections in Letters Patent No. 1,225,349. 

